Wednesday, December 23, 2009

There’s no place like Hell House for the holidays…At least that’s what Danielle Stewart hopes for as the director of Hellsner Halfway House for Troubled Paranormal Teens. But all her plans come to an abrupt halt with the help of bickering teens, unannounced zombies, and a portal to hell among other things.

When the arguing leads to things quite literally going up in smoke, will Danielle find that her true calling lies elsewhere, or will the help of an unexpected angel show her the family she has longed for is right before her eyes?

Available from www.sapphirebluepublishing.com and many other e-retailers!

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

I'm a bit stressed. November flew by, and December is here. That means Christmas is now less than a month away.

I work in retail, so this time of year gets crazy at my day job. Our business doubles, even triples some days. I enjoy being busy, but keeping up with deadlines can be hectic! Not to mention, the orders get more complicated and take more time to do, since people like to give shadowboxes as gifts. I usually end up sewing and pinning things until I can't feel my fingertips!

I always have grand plans on things I want to give as gifts. I want to crochet scarves and hats, draw portraits, make jewelry. And yet, every year, I find myself scrambling to make things at the last minute, or breaking down and buying something instead.

Apparently, I suck when it comes to planning.

However, one present I am giving myself this year is the completion of a holiday short story, which Sapphire Blue has picked up for publication. I've always wanted to write a holiday story, but never forced myself to take the time for follow through. We are in the editing process, and hope to have it out later this month. I can't wait to see what they come up with for the cover!

Wednesday, November 25, 2009

My days are filled with questions at my day job. This is ok, since the biggest part of my job is customer service, and I actually enjoy helping people for the most part.

But sometimes, customers are extremely vague about what they are looking for, yet expect me to know EXACTLY what they need. As if I can use my super powers to see inside their brains. If I had these super powers, I really don't think I'd be working a retail job.

So on occasion, I get to spend time with a customer, playing twenty questions and wandering around the store in order to figure out that "that stuff that looks like felt, but isn't felt" IS indeed felt.

Whatever.

Other times, customers are so confused, they don't even know where they are. I get asked where the shower curtains are, or the bedspreads. I find myself having to explain that we do not carry these items in an arts and crafts store, and that maybe they should try Bed, Bath, and Beyond. Usually, they nod, their eyes glazing over as they try to recall where they are shopping at the moment. I've even had them laugh and ask me where they are.

And since I am at an arts and crafts store, I get alot of questions from people who are trying to figure out how to something themselves, even if that isn't the best way. This can be fun, since I get to rack my brain with ideas to help others be creative. But sometimes, the questions can be a little, well...disturbing.

For example, a few years ago, I was asked by a man for something clear that you could preserve something in. Of course, I asked what, exactly, he was wanting to preserve. He then proceeded to explain to me how he wanted to preserve his recently amputated leg, because he didn't want the hospital to dispose of it, and he didn't want to bury it. Instead, he wanted to be able to look at it whenever he wanted, because it was a good leg, and deserved the best.

I swallowed hard and convinced him we did not have anything that would be sufficient for that. And then I ran to the break room, too weirded out for words.

Sometimes, I really just want to show someone where the ribbon is, and leave it at that.

*A new one for the list - A customer asked a coworker of mine for a glue that would be sufficient for holding on a toupe. Not at an arts and crafts store, people!

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Such an ominous name that retailers have for their best sales weekend of the year. Given such, because the sales made tend to shift each company from the red to the black for the year.

Last year was my tenth year of working Black Friday at my job. And the company started early, opening for three hours Thanksgiving evening as a preview. Since it was the first time we were open on Thanksgiving proper, no one knew exactly what to expect.

All I have to say about it is...Holy Crap.

There were so many people in the store, every cart and basket was in use. You couldn't walk down an aisle, it was so packed. The store did over $16,000 in three hours. And there were only nine people there to handle it all.

And Friday was even busier, as usual. You couldn't tell from the crowds of shoppers that there was any problem with the economy at all. Two stores down, people camped out in tents in the parking lot in front of the Best Buy to get an XBox 360.

Whoa.

In all my years of doing this, I still can't think of one item that I want so badly that I stand in line or sleep in a parking lot for a chance to get it.

And forget the whole "season of cheer and giving" thing this weekend. All politeness goes out the door as people complain, argue, and shove each other around to fill their carts with holiday gifts.

And I lost count of how many things crashed to the floor in a dozen or more pieces, casualties of the chaos. You Break It You Buy It is a thing of the past.

I don't hate people - I don't hate my job. I just get disgusted at the hipocrisy of it all. Customers descend like vultures, trashing stores and being rude to the sales people that wouldn't be there if they didn't have to, all under the guise of gift giving and holiday cheer.

Monday, November 23, 2009

Through my years in retail, I've often wondered what happened to common courtesy. It seems like all manners and politeness have taken a back seat in people's lives.

I was always taught to be courteous to others. Ask politely if you need help, and always thank the person who aided you.

Some customers try to adhere to this policy. "Could you help me please?" "Can you tell me where something is?" I have no qualms helping these people find whatever they need.

But there are those that can't even take the time to form a complete question. These people walk up to me and simply blurt out items. "Yarn." "Glue." "Candles." As if I'm supposed to know from one word exactly what they need and why.

It's like they are using some kind of secret greeting, a substitute for "hello" or "hi."

One of my coworkers gets this even more than I do. One day, he'd had enough. He was working in an aisle, and a customer walks up to him and blurts out "wood glue!"

He smiled politely and waved. "Wood glue to you, too!"

Luckily, the customer had a sense of humor and laughed, then asked in a complete sentence for help finding a certain kind of wood glue.

Sunday, November 22, 2009

I'm a nice person. (Mostly) And a friendly person. (Usually) I work face to face with the public daily, so I keep my snarkiness in check and plaster on a smile so wide my face hurts most days. I make small talk. I help customers. I'm very good at my job.

But would someone please tell me why there are people out there who have this urge to share more than is really necessary during these typically brief encounters?

For example - When asking me for help in finding a photo frame - I expect the occasional story about grandkids, or family life. That's a given. But I've had people go on and on, their mouths running like leaky faucets about divorces, surgeries, affairs, diseases, deaths-there seems to be no end.

Do I really need to hear about your knee surgery and actually see your scar to help you find a frame?

Do I need you to spend fifteen minutes telling me about your neighbor's affair and subsequent divorce to direct you to the silk flowers?

Do I have to know what happened the past six months of your life in order to recommend a good craft paint for wood?

I REALLY think not.

Have we become a society so devoid of emotional contact with others that we have to find a captive audience and pour out the intimate details of our lives to strangers that we've known all of thirty seconds?

WHAT is up with that?

Just the other day, my coworker helped a man fit a poster into a frame. At the end of the transaction, the man decides to share that rainy days make him horny. I hardly think that's appropriate conversation.

A simple "thank you for helping me" would suffice nicely, don't you think?

Saturday, November 21, 2009

One day about three years ago, now, I arrived at work like usual. It was the start of the peak holiday season for us, (which means it was sometime in October.) I was working with Jon that day. Jon's a great guy - a very talented artist - but not very talkative. It was like pulling teeth to get him to speak sometimes.

But that never stopped me from trying.

Determined to always make the best of every situation, my mind raced for things I could try to talk about with him. I looked down and saw my slacks sparkling in the light.

"Now how in the world do I already have glitter on me? I just got here!" I brushed my slacks off in vain. "I swear, this stuff is everywhere this time of year!"

Jon looked across the table at me evenly, his expression unfaltering. "I think everyone who works here is going to die of Glitter Lung." Jon looked back down and resumed his work, as if his statement was something said every day.

I stared at him, open-mouthed. First, because he spoke without having been asked a direct question. Second, because he hardly ever tried to make a joke.

The giggles were coming. I felt them churning in my gut, clawing their way to the surface. I knew once they escaped, they wouldn't stop for awhile.

You see, in my store, EVERYTHING sparkles for the holidays - Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas most of all. Glitter adorns the silk flower bushes, the stems, the made arrangements, the ornaments, the wreaths, the stockings, anything and everything you can think of shimmers with the stuff.

And so, my co-workers and I shimmer with the stuff as well. We get it on our hands, our clothes, our shoes, our hair - nothing escapes the sparkly stuff during peak season. We track it home with us, so it invades our cars, our carpets, our laundry baskets. My poor husband glimmers almost as much as I do every year.

We make the best of it at work. Everyone is resigned to shimmery sheik for peak season. Glitter fights have been known to ensue. We've even swept it up in piles and saved it for future use.

We make our own fun.

Jon has since moved on to better and brighter things, but I'll always remember his observation about Glitter Lung, and how he stared at me in confusion while I struggled to breathe through my laughter. I shared his statment with everyone else at the store.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Ever since I started my career in retail, my sense of time has become a little...skewed. The retail calendar differs greatly from the calendar that most people follow.

A great deal of the product in my store is seasonal, and switches out rapidly from one season and holiday to the next. This is to be expected, but our timeframe for such things is slightly different from how we live. Therefore, I constantly find myself in a conflicting set of environments.

You see, when everyone is celebrating winter and Christmas, my store is putting out the spring, Valentine's Day, and Easter items. Barely into spring, the summer flowers flood our sales floor, along with all the kid crafts that parents seek out to keep the little ones busy while out of school. Summer is usually when fall and winter start to rear their heads, pumpkins and santas piling into the store at an alarming rate.

Before retail, I couldn't imagine anyone needing to buy Christmas decorations in the summer. But sure enough, customers flock to our doors, asking for the ornaments and giftwrap before the school year even starts.

Why?

Don't we spend enough time commercializing each holiday already? Do we really need to drag everything out months and months in advance?

Not to mention the confusion it causes those of us that deal with this juxtaposition daily. Smelling Christmas Pine candles and listening to the animated santas all day, then stepping out into warm September weather is a bit of a shock sometimes. Not ot mention how utterly fed up with the holidays we retails workers get because of having to stare at the stuff months longer than necessary.

I used to decorate for every single holiday. My mother always made sure our house reflected every celebration - no matter how small. But as each year passes, I find that I care less and less, and my Easter bunnies, fall leaves, pumpkins, ornaments, etc. never make it out of their dark homes in the garage. I just can't seem to face them at home as well as at work.

It's almost as if the constant exposure has made me desensitized to the effects the holiday items have on other people. I no longer "ooh" and "ahh" over things like I did years ago.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

I originally posted these rants on my Myspace blog last year, and have decided to post them again, and add a few things, since we are heading toward the peak retail season.

I think they're funny, and well, this is my blog, so I can do what I want!

Though I am trying to establish myself as an author, I do have a day-today job that I must have to pay the bills (especially in this economic climate). Since February of 1999, I have worked in the retail business for a large arts and crafts chain, predominately in art framing.

Almost ten years of experience in this area has been eye-opening for sure. When you deal with the public daily, you hone your observational skills and become witness to things you never ever expected to see. And you hear things you never wanted to hear.

I've dealt with people at their best, but more often, people at their worst. To be honest, I never really expected to be doing this job for so long. But I have collected MANY thoughts and experiences.

I often toyed with the idea of putting some of these things into a book. Since I already have a dozen book projects in the works, I decided that I will just hit the high points over a few blogs. I will share my rants, my WTF moments, and anything else I can think of.

Maybe through some humor, I can brace myself for possibly the worst peak season in retail I've ever had.

So sit back, read, laugh, and shake your head in disbelief. I promise - it's all true.

Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Thanksgiving is almost here. The time where everyone is supposed to stop and take a moment to count their blessings.

With the stress of everyday living these days, I find it increasingly difficult to stop and smell the roses. This time of year is especially hectic in my retail day job. Longer hours, looming deadlines. More to do and less time to do it.

But at least I have a job to be stressed over. So many people don't even have that right now. Even when I want to pull my hair out, I make myself stop and take some deep breaths, because not having this job would give me a whole new set of problems.

Having a full time job with a commute does make the process of being a prolific writer a tad difficult, though. My time is very limited outside of work. And my husband has a multitude of health problems that keep us busy going to the doctor.

Despite all this, I know I'm blessed. I have a job. I have a home. I have a wonderful husband who's been madly in love with me since we were seventeen years old. I found a great publisher who believes in me and my work (when I can get it done-LOL) And through them, I have a fabulous group of author friends who keep me somewhat sane and definitely laughing.

And I'm thankful for readers who buy and read my books. Just today, I looked and found that my first release, Second Chances, is #2 on Sapphire Blue's contemporary list, and Summon Me Swiftly is #4 in the Romance/Erotic category.

Wednesday, November 11, 2009

It's been a truly hectic couple of weeks for me! I have lots going on, which I'd like to share with you!

First, my new erotic short story, Summon Me Swiftly, is out at Sapphire Blue Publishing!

After a disappointing night fending off drunk suitors at her friend’s Halloween party, Amanda Swift is completely disenchanted with the dating scene. She’s even more fed up with being alone, and wishes she’d finally find that perfect guy to sweep her off her feet and make her toes curl with ecstasy. But Amanda’s evening quickly switches gears when she walks into her bedroom and discovers a very handsome — and very naked—hunk, who wants to please her in every way. But is this a case of be careful what you wish for?

I really enjoyed working on this story, and have plans for more fun short stories in the future. It was aslo a hoot to write spicier than I normally do. Of course, I had to pair it with alot of sarcastic humor as well!

In other news, I now have a book trailer for my first release, Second Chances. The fabulous people at www.scarletv.com held a contest, and I won! They were a pleasure to work with, and I'm sure I will use their services in the future. Have a look!

It's been a whirlwind couple of weeks, but I'm having a blast on the ride!

And on a final note - Happy Veteran's Day to all the men and women who work/have worked to keep us and our country safe!

Wednesday, November 4, 2009

Well, I told you guys I was working on a short story with Sapphire Blue Publishing, and last night, I got an email with my cover art in it!

Take a gander!

Blurb:

After a disappointing night fending off drunk suitors at her friend’s Halloween party, Amanda Swift is completely disenchanted with the dating scene. She’s even more fed up with being alone, and wishes she’d finally find that perfect guy to sweep her off her feet and make her toes curl with ecstasy. But Amanda’s evening quickly switches gears when she walks into her bedroom and discovers a very handsome –and very naked— hunk who wants to please her in every way. You really do have to be careful what you wish for…

The release date might be as soon as next week, but I'll be sure to let you guys know when I know for sure.

It's a fun, snarky, sexy story that was a blast to write! I hope everyone has as much fun reading it as I had writing it!

Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Almost forgot today, but that switch in my brain finally kicked in and blinked at me repeatedly until I acknowledged it's significance.

Life has a funny way of getting in my way. I always have the best of intentions, but then things happen and days pass and the next thing I know, the list of things to do has piled up and rearranged, and I want to pull my hair out.

One good thing - my sister drove up from Texas to visit my folks in Ohio, so I will be going to see her this weekend. Haven't seen her since May, so I am excited.

I am also excited to announce that I will be having a short story coming out soon from Sapphire Blue Publishing. I'll pass along the info as soon as I know more, like cover art and release dates.

Fall starts my busiest time - at home AND at work. I'll do my best to not forget you guys again.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

And unlike Buffy's glorious weather in the AZ, here it has come in with a soggy whimper.

There's typically a transition of cooler temperatures and brisker days, but lately it's just been a whole lot of rain, making a whole lot of cold. Which, in turn, makes me a whole lot of...blah.

I did manage to drag my fall decorations out of the garage last weekend and put them outside, thinking that might get me more into the spirit.

But alas, no such luck.

It's sad, too, because Fall has always been my favorite season, and Halloween my favorite holiday. I love dressing up, and have a closet full of various costumes and accessories that I pull from. This year, I will be working on Halloween, and need to think of a costume I can wear that will also be comfortable to work in all day.

If it weren't for all the dreary rain, I think I would be more into things this season. But Mother Nature has dumped a ton of water on us here this year, and doesn't seem to be finished yet.

I think I may have mentioned this before, but I'm REALLY tired of rain.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

I just finished a six day stretch at the day job. I'm pooped. Retail isn't for sissies, mind you, and I've been doing it for over ten years. And our peak season is just beginning, so it only gets worse from here.

And with the economy the way that it is, corporations are tightening the reins more than ever to make a profit. One way they do that is with cutting payroll. Buffy is feeling the vise of that with her daycare facility, and retail entities are cinching up too. That means that seasonal employment will be cut, and the regular employees will be required to do even more. Unfortunately, that also means less people in the store to run a cash register, so lines will be longer. Customers will not be happy with this, but it WILL be a factor this holiday season, so be prepared.

Myself, I try to stay out of the stores as much as possible the closer the holidays get. I make alot of gifts. Or take advantage of free shipping offers online. Fighting crowds and standing in line just isn't my bag, baby.

All of this pessimism too much for you? Here's the silver lining. Books make excellent gifts. And e-books are even better, since you don't even have to leave your house to buy them. They are predicting that e-readers will be this season's hottest gift, anyway.

So what are you waiting for? Go stock up on some great books at Sapphire Blue Publishing!

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

It's Wednesday, which means it's my day to spout some sort of exceptionally witty banter in a blog.

Trouble is, I'm just not feeling "blog worthy" lately.

I'm not depressed. There's nothing wrong. I just don't seem to have anything important to say.

I'm busy working. And writing. Reading a bit - print books AND e-books. And helping my hubby deal with the myriad health problems that have come up recently.

Fall is finally here. The leaves are turning, the weather is cooler. I usually get a little nostalgic in the fall. I'm going through old poems and stories and seeing if I can turn them into anything viable. Ideas are swirling around in my brain, and I tend to get a bit introverted when this happens, so I can sort them all out.

So in the meantime, have a great day. And pick up a Sapphire Blue E-book!

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

I decided to get back into the swing of things with a new dose of science fiction hotness!

Today we celebrate hunky actor Jamie Bamber, aka Lee "Apollo" Adama on the re-imagined series of Battlestar Galactica from the SyFy network.

Bamber was born in Hammersmith, London, to Northern Irish mother Elizabeth (Liz) and an American father Ralph. He was educated at the independent St Paul's School in Barnes, London, and received a first class honours degree in Modern Languages (Italian and French) at St John's College, Cambridge, before attending the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art (LAMDA).

The complexity of the characters on this series never failed to impress me, and Lee Adama was no exception. At the start of the series, Lee is a Captain in the Colonial Fleet Reserve, his father William Adama on the verge of retirement from the fleet. Their relationship is touchy, the loss of Lee's younger brother Zak in a piloting accident at the heart of all the drama. Not to mention the sexual tension between lee and Zak/s former fiance Kara "Starbuck" Thrace.

Due to the Cylons - robots created by man that now look human - waging war and attempting to wipe out the human race, Lee is forced to assume command of the pilots and keep them ready to defend what's left of the humans on various ships. Humanity has been divided up into 12 tribes/planets that reflect the signs of the zodiac. To keep everyone's hope alive, William Adama proposes that they search for a new home, a legendary 13th tribe called Earth.

This journey will not be an easy one. There will be much death, sadness, and despair. But there's also love. And hope. Lee, in particular, is on his own personal rollercoaster. He leads the pilots, gets promoted to Commander of his own ship, finally tells Kara he loves her, and then sees her marry another man. He even gives up his military calling to practice law like his grandfather for awhile, which leads to a short political career. But in the end, he comes back to the role of supporting his father and finally learns to make peace with life and love.

Battlestar Galactica was one of the best science fiction shows in a long while, in my opinion. The story was at the base, one of survival. But it also explored faith, religion, loyalty, and the warning that we need to take care with our technological developments - less they "take care" of us. And Jamie Bamber was a huge part of that. Not only was his portayal of Lee raw and honest - but what's not to like about a hunk with a bod like this?

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

My taste in men is a little...different. I usually go for the quirky guy, the funny guy, the sweet guy. Smart and nerdy turn me on as well. (I said I was different.)

I kind of march to my own beat when it comes to what I like. Even as a teenager, I never really fit in with the cliques. The things (and boys) that my friends liked hardly ever interested me.

I was a fan of the show 21 Jumpstreet back in the day. (I know, I just severely dated myself) But while everyone mooned over Johnny Depp, I fell for Peter Delouise.

That is, until I was introduced to Richard Grieco as Dennis Booker.

Black leather, motorcycle, chip on his shoulder the size of a small continent - I fell HARD. All those stereotypes about the bad boy completely sucked me in with one look into those sultry dark eyes. All my standards and reasoning skills were chucked right out the window with a good case of teenage hormones gone wild.

Of course, my Mother was scared silly. She could handle my crushes on the sweet nerdy guys. Suddenly, her little girl wanted a boyfriend with a motorcycle and a propensity for danger.

And Richard fit the bill to a T. I did the fan girl thing and wallpapered my room with his photos. I even sent him fan mail. (but I got a personally autographed photo back! SQUEE!)

Like all teenage girls, I moved on, but Richard remains my one and only bad boy crush. And even as an adult, he makes me weak in the knees - just a little.

Since I get to deal in fantasies as a writer, I believe my next hero might just have some bad boy qualities.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Alas, it's blogging day for me today. I'm not in a very good mood, unfortunately. Perhaps I should fill you in on why...

Yesterday, my hubby had his first appointment at the rheumatologist for his arthritis. We had to be there at 8:30 am. There was about a 45 minute drive, so we had to be out of the house around 7:30.

One consultation, x-rays, bloodwork, and 3 hours later, we were finally free of the dimly lit interior to be greeted by an ominous looking sky. Deciding to get gas, I pulled into the station to do so. As soon as I pressed the trigger, the hose to the pump cracked and started spewing gasoline all over the ground - and my feet. Me and the other customers started screaming at the attendant to turn off the pump, which he finally did, just as the rain began it's torrential downpour.

So, I'm slipping and sliding all over the place, smelling like gasoline, water dripping off my nose, and I still need gas in my car. Wonderful.

I have to be at work at 2, so there's no time for a trip home to change, since that will take another hour at least round trip, and we need to eat lunch at some point.

I finally get the gas and we go the nearest Wal-Mart to buy me a new pair of shoes. I have a dress code at work, a very particular dress code, so I can't just get any pair of shoes, so it takes a little while. After the unplanned shoe shopping trip, we finally grab some lunch before I drop the hubby off at work, then get to my own job.

It was a hell night, so I didn't get out of work until about 10:20. After snatching the hubby, we made it home around 11:15. We were pooped.

So today, I slept late, since I'm off, but had to run a few errands. One was going to the post office to pick up registered mail that we were not home to receive. Curious, I opened the envelope to see what it was.

It was a summons. Me and the hubby are being sued by a horse farm in Tennessee for back payment on boarding fees for a horse.

We don't own a horse. We have NEVER owned a horse.

We called the courthouse to get more info. If we do not settle or appear at the hearing, a judgment can be entered for the amount (a little over $18,000.00).

So it seems we will be possibly having to retain the services of a lawyer to prove that we don't own the horse in question. We are waiting to hear back from one.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Usually, I'd be hamming it up with a post about some hunky guy from a Sci Fi series or movie.

But I'm just not into it today.

It's been a particularly tiring week at the day job, and my brain is mush. I've been concentrating on writing whenever I have a spare moment, so my creativity is taxed, to say the least.

I really don't see how people juggle jobs and kids and writing and...whatever else on their plates. On days that I work, I have about four a half hours outside of the job to cram in my life. Four and a half hours. And this must include dinner, errands, showers, bills, writing, you name it.

I tried not sleeping much, and that just didn't work out. There's alot of physicality in my job most days, and being tired leads to me getting injured. Or being cranky, which doesn't bode well for my customer service skills.

Alas, sometimes I just need a break. Thankfully, I have vacation scheduled later this month. I plan on getting a re-boot and writing my tushie off!

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

Aahhhh...Wednesday. Time for another dose of hunky-sci fi goodness! I decided to stay in the world of Stargate this week, and am featuring Joe Flanigan, aka John Sheppard on Stargate Atlantis.

Born and raised in Claifornia, Flanigan later attended the University of Colorado, where he earned a history degree. He never expected to make acting a career, and studied it mainly to overcome his shyness. He pursued a writing career after graduation, and with prodding from friends, finally made the decision to go after an acting career.

All of which led joe to the character I adore him for most - Lt Colonel John Sheppard of Stargate Atlantis.

Stargate Atlantis follows the present-day adventures of John Sheppard and his military team from Earth that, along with two dozen other teams, venture to distant planets. They use an alien device known as a Stargate, which is housed in the city of Atlantis on the planet "Lantea". The city was built millions of years ago by one of the most advanced races of the Stargate universe: the Ancients. Five to ten million years ago, due to a plague in the Milky Way Galaxy, they were forced to flee to the Pegasus Galaxy, and there they seeded life on hundreds of worlds as they had done in the Milky Way. After encountering a powerful enemy known as the Wraith and going to war with them for more than one hundred years, the Ancients ultimately lost and were forced to submerge their city beneath Lantea's ocean, which, in the Stargate universe, is the source of the Greek myth of the Lost City of Atlantis.

Sheppard has an "ancient gene" in his physiology, which allows him to attempt exerting control over the various Ancient technology the team confronts while on Atlantis and other worlds. Sheppard's a no nonsense military man, with a troubled past, but deep down he has a big heart and cares about his team immensely, providing the view of the "average joe" (lol) next to the complicated science jargon of the genius members of the team, so that we may all understand and be entertained.

And the fact that he's smokin' hot doesn't hurt one bit either!

I mean, seriously, just one look from those sultry eyes and I'm a puddle at his feet.

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

Time for another dose of science fiction hunkiness! This week we celebrate actor Michael Shanks, aka Dr. Daniel Jackson on the television series Stargate SG-1.

Michael Garrett Shanks was born December 15, 1970, in Vancouver, British Columbia. He attended the University of British Columbia and graduated with a B.F.A. in Theatre in 1994.

Shanks played archaeologist Dr. Daniel Jackson in Stargate SG-1. The military, having discovered the Stargate, sought out Dr. Jackson because of his theories linking the ancient Egyptians to alien technology. A scientific view that has most of Daniel's peers treating him like a hack.

But when the US military shows him the Stargate, Daniel is the one who figures out how the machine is to be used. His theories are correct! Trouble is, he can't tell anyone, becaues it is now a matter of national security.

Thus begins Daniel's journey as a member of the SG-1 team, where through the years he visits countless planets, meets all sorts of alien life, and saves the day with his vast knowledge of ancient languages and cultures, coming to serve as the moral conscience of the team as a whole.

Dr. Jackson remains part of SG-1 until he ascends to a higher plane of existence at the end of season 5. Following his forceful de-ascension at the beginning of season 7, he rejoins the team for the remainder of the series. The last three seasons show his flirty yet antagonistic relationship with Vala Mal Doran (played by Claudia Black). Daniel also appears in both direct-to-DVD films and has cameos in seasons 1 and 5 of Stargate Atlantis. He is confirmed to appear in the pilot episode of the upcoming series Stargate Universe.

Now, I've always been a fan of the nerdy guy. Brains turn me on (among other things). But how can you go wrong when such a mind belongs to a hunk like this? Watching Michael portray a character that evolves so much over the course of the show was and is a complete pleasure. Daniel struggled every moment to reconcile his science with reality, his emotions with his logic, making him a perfect fit for for my Sexy Guys of Sci Fi!

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

I'm back, baby! And I brought a Sexy Guy of Sci Fi with me! Ben Browder gives us a double shot of hunkiness as John Crichton on Farscape and Cameron Mitchell on Stargate SG-1!

Ben Browder was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He attended Myers Park High School in Charlotte, North Carolina, earned a BS in psychology at Furman University, and then went on to study drama at Central School of Speech and Drama in London, England.

I first recall seeing Ben in the Sci Fi series Farscape, and I was a complete goner!

Farscape featured a diverse and eclectic ensemble of characters who are all on the run from corrupt authorities called Peacekeepers. They live inside a giant space-dwelling creature named Moya, which served as their ship.

In the first episode, the fugitives are joined by the main character, John Crichton, a modern-day American astronaut who accidentally flew into the entrance of a wormhole near Earth. On the same day, another stranger is picked up by Moya: a stranded Peacekeeper named Aeryn Sun, who appears human.

Despite his best intentions, John does make a few major enemies; the primary of these is known as Scorpius. There are a few stand-alone plots, but the show centered on the unfolding events surrounding John's battle against Scorpius, John's special abilities with wormholes, and on another front, with his relationship (or lack thereof) with Aeryn Sun.

After Farscape ended, I was ecstatic to find out Ben was joining the cast of another of my favorite shows, Stargate SG-1!

Stargate SG-1 explored the missions of the Stargate teams as they traveled through wormholes created by an ancient "stargate" controlled by the military, located under the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado. In the first eight seasons, the mission of the SG teams was to explore the galaxy and search for alien technology and allies to defend Earth against the Goa'uld, a snake-like parasitic alien race that takes humans as unwilling hosts. SG-1 eventually learns that highly evolved but now impassive human-like beings, known as the Ancients, had originally built the Stargate network millions of years earlier, before they used their extraordinary powers to Ascend to a higher plane of existence. The fictional Ori, who belong to the same race as the Ancients but preach religious fundamentalism, assume the role of the main antagonists in seasons 9 and 10.

Ben joined the cast as a United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel who is assigned as the new commanding officer of SG-1 at the beginning of season 9. He struggled to reunite its former members under his authority and commands SG-1 (with Lt. Col. Carter's assistance) until the end of season 10, later being promoted to Colonel.

Whether fighting aliens and his feelings for Aeryn in Farscape, or donning a military uniform and fighting the Goa'uld and Ori in Stargate SG-1, Ben's charm, bright blue eyes, and rockin' bod make him an obvious choice for my Sexy Guys of Sci Fi!

Tuesday, August 11, 2009

I really have to get ready for work, but I felt like sharing a bit. I went to Sapphire Blue Publishing's website to check out a new erotic release, and there was Second Chances, number 4 on the bestsellers list!

I did a little happy dance in my seat!

I've really been struggling with feasibly continuing to pursue writing, since I have so much stuff going on in my life. Now, I feel a little more validated.

And so, I need to write a Halloween short story for SBP, another short for ARE's charity free reads, and finish Burn With Me.

Oh, and I'd also like to write a short story for Samhain's Angels and Demons Anthology.

Sunday, August 9, 2009

Even though I've been unfocused lately, I've managed to read some excellent books!

Fantasy Quest by Tina Gerow is one of them!

Astiria Petrey wants nothing more than to lay on a sandy beach reading a good book at the exclusive Fantasy resort. Pestered by dumb jocks in tight shorts, Astiria decides to play the hotel’s role-playing computer game - Fantasy Quest. Only the game is more than she could ever imagine!

As soon as Astiria creates her perfect man—an online Warrior named Lerik, she is sucked through a portal to the mythical Verrath to meet him. There, Astiria must do battle against a host of trials.

If she is unable to succeed, Astiria becomes property of Marsoon, the Goblin King.

Accompanied by a real live gargoyle named Max, and Lerik, the sexy warrior she created from her wildest fantasies, Astiria must discover herself in order to not only win the game, but make her way back home.

Only then can she realize that true love awaits, if only she believes…

20K Words

I LOVED this book! I know so many gamers, and have even dabbled some myself, so I could relate so well!

Astiria is strong, yet vulnerable at the same time, having a bad history with men that keeps her at arm's length, sheilding her heart. And yet, she finds the inner strength to take a chance with Lerik, even though it turns out quite unexpectedly...

The world that Tina Gerow creates is fantastic, yet believable. I was completely sucked in at the start, and I want a purple gargoyle of my very own!

When a story elicits a pure emotional response, I know it's good. I laughed out loud at the snarky exchange between Lerik and his assistant elf. I shouted at the computer screen during the fight scenes. I even shed a tear or two.

I highly reccomend this book for anyone who likes a sassy story with lots of action, humor, and emotion. There's alot packed into it, and you won't be disappointed!

Go to http://www.sapphirebluepublishing.com and pick this one up! In fact, I think I might just go and read it again...

Granted, my hubby and I have been on a roller coaster dealing with health issues he has, as well as our jobs completely pushing us closer to the edge.

But for the most part, I seem to have difficulty maintaining focus and sticking to a plan in general. I mean, I like the idea of a plan. I will even go over the details in my head - sometimes even write them out - but when it comes down to putting it into action, my resolve wavers.

I will have everything laid out in my mind, exactly how it should play out, but when faced with the application - I crumble. What's up with that? My Mom is a planner. She writes almost everything down, then follows through with her plan like a well oiled machine. I just can't seem to make that transition.

And I've always been like that. I have half-finished stories, books, and projects everywhere. I know what needs to be done. I even know how it needs to be done. I just can't always make myself do it.

I don't think it's that I'm lazy. I think alot of it is that there's so many things crammed into this head of mine, that I have trouble picking out what to focus on and complete. I'm a dreamer, unfortunately. And dreamers seem to dwell on the abstract - of what it might be like to have something, instead of what is actually needed to obtain it.

Monday, July 27, 2009

Russell T. Davies, John Barrowman, and David Tennant (squee!) were there this year. I would have been beside myslef to be in the same room with them. And apparently, John was excited to be there as well.

I think I would have had the same reaction to kissing David, I just wouldn't have gotten back on my feet afterwards...

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

"We are not gonna die. You know why? Because we are so...very...pretty. We are just too pretty for God to let us die. Huh? Look at that chiseled jaw!" - Malcolm Reynolds.

It's no secret that I find funny guys sexy, so it's no wonder that Nathan Fillion is one of my top Sexy Guys of Sci-Fi.

As Captain Malcolm Reynolds (aka Captain Tightpants) on the Tv Series Firefly and film Serenity, Nathan is full of charm, snark, and action.

Firefly is an American space western television series created by writer/director Joss Whedon. The series is set in the year 2517, after the arrival of humans in a new star system, and follows the adventures of the renegade crew of Serenity, a "Firefly-class" spaceship. The ensemble cast portrays the nine characters who live on Serenity.

The show explores the lives of people who fought on the losing side of a civil war who now make a living on the outskirts of the society, as part of the pioneer culture that exists on the fringes of their star system. In addition, it is a future where the only two surviving superpowers, the United States and China, fused to form the central federal government, called the Alliance, resulting in the fusion of the two cultures as well. According to Whedon's vision, "nothing will change in the future: technology will advance, but we will still have the same political, moral, and ethical problems as today."

As Captain Malcolm "Mal" Reynolds, Nathan Fillion is the owner of Serenity and former Independent sergeant in the pivotal Battle of Serenity Valley. Very little is known about the enigmatic Captain; the small bits of information he reveals about his past life betrays nothing of his character (a mystery of its own). Malcolm reveals that he grew up on a ranch, and was raised by his mother and the ranch hands. The only other scenes of his past life that are shown are about the Unification War, in which he and his crewmate Zoe fought for the Independent Army, or "Browncoats", as a platoon sergeant in the 57th Overlanders. He is an efficient leader and is skilled with guns as well as in hand-to-hand combat. Mal's character is full of contradictions. He is constantly fighting his demons, and his true self remains something of a mystery.

Though the core of the show deals with war, survival, past demons, death, etc, it always remained infused with the amazing humor that permeates Joss Whedon's writing, made even better by the smartass way Nathan can deliver the dialogue. Because in Mal's own words, "Why yes, he is made of awesome!"

Wednesday, July 15, 2009

The television show Eureka takes place in a high tech community of the same name, located somewhere in the Pacific Northwest (the true location is a secret, of course) and inhabited entirely by brilliant scientists working on new scientific advancements for the United States government. As would be expected, these projects quite frequently go disastrously awry, endangering lives, the town, and even sometimes the fabric of reality itself.

U.S. Marshal Jack Carter stumbles upon Eureka while transporting a fugitive prisoner — his own rebellious teenage daughter Zoe — back to her mother's home in Los Angeles. When a faulty experiment cripples the sheriff of Eureka, Carter finds himself quickly chosen to fill the vacancy. Despite not being a genius like most members of the town, Jack Carter's ability to connect to others, simplistic ideas, and steadfast dedication to his work repeatedly saves Eureka, and indeed the entire world, from one would-be disaster after another.

Colin Ferguson plays the role of Sheriff Jack Carter. He's the average joe smack dab in the middle of a town of geniuses, and is consistently overwhelmed by the wonders he sees every day in the town he has been charged to protect.

In this town where children learn (and understand) physics in grade school, men argue about the relevance of time travel instead of football teams, and surprises lurk around every corner waiting to cause havoc - Jack Carter keeps a level head and often his simpler thinking is what ends up saving the day.

He's also a single dad, and loves his daughter more than anything in the world. In fact, she is the main reason he decides to stay in Eureka, so that he can provide her with the greatest opportunities the world has to offer. He's risked his life more than once to protect her. What's sexier than a man willing to do that for his family?

Plus, there's just something sexy about a well-built man in a uniform...

Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Ok, Ok. I know I said I was going to do this monthly, but now I'm considering weekly. A girl has the right to change her mind, right? Besides, there's just too many sexy hunks in the sci/fi genre. Blame the media!

Today's Sexy Guy of Sci/Fi is John Barrowman, who plays Captain Jack Harkness in the BBC series Torchwood. John is mainly known for his starring roles on the West End stage, but has also served on the judges panel for shows like Any Dream Will Do and How Do You Solve A Problem Like Maria? He sings, he acts, he dances. He's dreamy and yummy, and lives in the UK with his partner, Scott. (damn!)

A former Time agent, we first meet Captain Jack in an episode of Doctor Who, where he runs into the Ninth Doctor and his companion, Rose Tyler. Jack is basicallly scavenging the universe for tech and selling to the highest bidder. A life he is enjoying to the max, until The Doctor and Rose show him what it means to make a difference and save lives.

Jack decides to travel with the pair and ends up facing one of The Doctor's greatest foes - The Daleks. Jack gives his life in the fight, but Rose uses the power of the Time Vortex and inadvertently brings him back to life. But something goes wrong. Because Jack finds himself not only alive again, but discovers that he comes back EVERY time he is killed. Poor Jack really tests this discovery, and has been shot, stabbed, strangled, electrocuted, buried alive - you get the picture.

He chases after The Doctor and Rose and ends up stranded in the past, forced to live his many lifetimes in the hopes of finding why he is the way he is.

Enter Torchwood, an organization established by Queen Victoria to aid in defending Great Britain against the alien threat in the universe. Public enemy number one is declared as The Doctor himself, who even though he's saved the earth more times than anyone can count, is seen as a big chunk of the problem. Jack grudgingly becomes involved in the group, mostly because it gives him access to the technology and information he thinks will help him in his own pursuits. He ends up in charge of Torchwood Cardiff, which happens to be on a time rift, therefore attracting all sorts of alien life and alien problems.

The Torchwood base is underground, filled with vaults of confiscated technology, dangerous aliens in cryo chambers, high tech computer gadgetry, and everything else needed to keep the world safe.

Jack is an excellent leader, but he does let his emotions get in the way at times. He loves his team. Some of them, a little more than others.

But that's ok, because Jack doesn't discriminate when it comes to relationships or sex. Men, women, aliens - Omnisexual Jack turns up his magnetism and uses it to his fullest, which makes him sizzle no matter who he's flirting with!

And yet, because he can't die, Jack posesses this deep rooted sadness, because he has to watch as everyone he cares about grows old and dies. And yet - Jack still throws caution to the wind and sprints into action, a wink and a smile at the ready for whatever each adventure brings his way.

John Barrowman plays Captain Jack with such heart, charisma, and boldness - I truly believe no one else could do it. That smile and those baby blues nearly do me in at times.

Wednesday, July 1, 2009

I'm usually not one to theme-blog. But I noticed that alot of my fellow authors seem to have luck with a blogging hook. Plus - it keeps you blogging steadily.

And so, since I watch alot of science fiction, and am currently working on a sci fi story as well, I've decided to dedicate a monthly blog to the Sexy Guys of Sci/Fi. (any suggestions for future blogs will be greatly appreciated and considered.)

David plays The Doctor in the BBC series Doctor Who. He's had the role since 2005, and skyrocketed the show back into popularity with his portrayal. A classically trained actor, David was a childhood fan of the series and jumped at the chance to become a part of TV history.

Tenth in the line of a talented group of actors to play the part, David brings warmth, hilarity, and heart to the part of The Doctor, creating a character appealing to children and adults both.

For the first time in the series, David brought sexual tension to the mix between the Doctor and his various female companions, but never lost the essence of what The Doctor is about - taking life by the horns and becoming a better person for helping others.

The Doctor fights evil because he can, not because he craves glory or recognition. And he fights with brain power and science, teaching us to think before we do something destructive. He is enthralled with humanity, yet he is ultimately alone. The last of the time lords, The Doctor spans the universe, a lonely angel that burns in eternity.

David's doctor has been the most popular to date, winning various awards for his portrayal. Unfortunately, 2009 is his last year in the part, and he will pass the torch on to another actor that will carry the Doctor Who legacy into the future.

But David will always be my Doctor.

And the hero of my debut novel, Second Chances, bears quite the resemblance to this handsome Scot, with his dark hair, brown eyes, and kissable lips.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

It's been awhile since I posted a book review, but then again, I haven't been reading like I usually do. But after finishing this book, I just had to let everyone know how fabulous it was!

For those of you that don't know, Amber Benson is a talented actress/writer/filmmaker. She is probably best known for her portrayal of Tara Maclay on Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but has written and made some great Indie films as well. She also co-wrote the Ghosts of Albion series with Christopher Golden. As far as I know, Death's Daughter is her first solo novel.

I found this book in the paranormal romance category at the store, but I feel it crosses alot of genres. It could be considered fantasy or chick lit as well. It's written in first person, which makes it more fun in my opinion.

For the last few years, Calliope Reaper-Jones has been living under a self-imposed Forgetting Charm, because she didn't want any part of the family business. What she did want was a glamorous career in New York City and the opportunity for a normal, mortal life. But then her father's Assistant, a faun named Jarvis, shows up and cancels out the Forgetting Charm to let Calliope know that her father and sister have been kidnapped.

Now Calliope is expected to find her father, and fill in for him in his absence at Death Inc. - as The Grim Reaper. But in order to save her family's name and become the temporary personification of Death, she has to fulfill three tasks set forth by the Company Board to acquire three objects of power. And the quest to save her family, the business, and her life - turns out to be an adventure to remember!

Let me just say that this book hit the ground running and didn't stop for one second! Calliope's normal life gets turned completely upside down when she finds out her father and sister have been kidnapped, and she's none to pleased about it!

Jarvis is a great contrast to her flighty, self-involved inner monologues. The two spar alot, but you can tell that they genuiniely care about each other despite the verbal warcraft.

There were so many great things in this book! Death as a corporate entity itself was funny, and the fact that other Gods and Goddesses served on the Company Board was cool. Wodin, Persephone, and Kali (the Hindu Goddess of Destruction) make appearances. Kali in particualr is essential to the story, being sarcastic and snotty to Calliope while helping her out at the same time.

One of the "objects of power" Calliope must acquire is one of Cerberus's pups. As you can guess, she must go to Hell in order to get the pup. In fact, Calliope spends quite a bit of time in various sections of Hell, another way this book was interesting and funny. She meets the Devil himself, as well as his protege, Daniel. Daniel wants to be the Grim Reaper, so the tension between the two of them is tight. Calliope seesaws between wanting to kiss him senseless to wanting to punch him in the gut. Actually, she ends up doing both (among other things).

There was never a dull moment in this book. So many great characters to make the story come alive for me - I had a hard time putting it down. Gods, Goddesses, Hellhounds, Demons - all either trying to help or hinder Calliope in her quests. She crosses planes of existence, travels through memories, gets sucked through wormholes, and explores the many sections of Hell in this book. All while being exceptionally funny and sarcastic. I laughed out loud more than once at the quips in the dialogue or the inner monologues.

All in all, one of the absolute best books I've read in awhile. Anyone who loves fantasy, humor, wit, and the paranormal should pick it up. You won't be sorry!

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

So, here it is, Wednesday again. My day to blog - to be witty, relevant, and entertaining.

And here I sit, staring at the computer screen - waiting for inspiration to strike.

No lightning. No flash of brilliance. No lightbulbs appearing over my head.

Just empty space, glaring back at me, daring me to come up with an idea.

My life tends to go through cycles regarding my creativity. Sometimes I read relentlessly, then I will crochet or cross-stitch until my hands cramp. Or I have even been known to write until my fingers go numb. When I was writing Second Chances, the story flowed out of me in a steady stream, and I wrote practically every day until it was finished. It was like it was meant to be written.

But now, I struggle to give words life, and instead find myself wandering off to occupy my mind elsewhere. It's like I can't find that zone again - that place where the story that's in your head finds it's way to your fingertips like magic, creating the world on the page that you see in your mind for everyone else to see. I'm getting little spurts of that place, but it fizzles and dies before any real progress is made.

I'm beginning to feel that I might not find that place again, and I'm troubled by that prospect.

Granted, I do have a full-time job that deals me alot of stress, and bills to pay, errands to run, etc. But most writers do. And I can't help but feel that I'm just making lame excuses for being unproductive. And I really don't want to be lame.

But I'm struggling as a writer these days. I need to rediscover that joy that made me write Second Chances with such zeal and determination.

Friday, June 5, 2009

I've been as gray as the rain-laden clouds in the sky lately, so I didn't expect today to be any different. I figured the sun had decided to take an indefinite leave of absence.

But today, I woke up to...sunshine! YES! No rain - no gray skies - just sunshine, wind, and the day off from work!

So, my hubby and I decided on a road trip to Florence, KY. It's not a long drive, a little over an hour. He grabbed a few of my favorite cds, and we rolled down the windows, cranked up the music, and took off!

We had lunch, hit the mall, and of course - a book store.

I got a talking Doug The Dog from The Disney Store (from the new movie, Up) to add to my plush collection. (see my collections album in my photos on Myspace to see what I'm talking about) I picked up the next Broken Heart Book as well. I swear, books are like crack to me. I have no resistance. I also bought a Sims video game for my DS, and a Twilight t-shirt. You know, frivolous crap you never really set out to buy, but decide that you can't live without?

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

I'm one of those people that is very sensitive to the weather. Bright, beautiful days cheer me up. Gray, colorless days get me down. This winter and spring have been particularly blah in my neck of the woods. I have been waiting expectantly for the hot, sunny days of summer.

But what do I get? Hazy, humid days interspersed with downpours. Driving home from work last night, in 30 minutes I drove through dark skies, sprinkles, downpours, lightning shows, and thunder claps.

And today - more of the same. The skies lighten up for a bit, then grow almost black and release a torrent of water to gray out the day.

So my mood is as gray as the sky outside. And the sinus headache from the changing barometer doesn't help. And when I'm gray and blah - I either refrain from turning on my computer alltogether, or end up staring at it, thinking horrible thoughts of destruction.

What I manage to write reflects my mood, and ends up being blah and boring.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

So today, I turned 35. Yeah, that's right. I'll admit to my real age. Most people are shocked to find out my age, thinking I'm younger (yay), but I've lived those years, so I might as well own them!

It's been a really nice birthday, too. I slept in late - one of my favorite things to do, because sleep for me can be fleeting. I got all girly and put on a dress with sexy red pumps - hubby approved. Then we set off to see what we could get into...

We ended up seeing the new Disney/Pixar movie Up. Having seen mostly action/adventure movies lately, I was in the mood for something different. I wasn't prepared for the emotional journey this little film took me on! It was sad, touching, funny, exciting - I loved it! I spent the first 20 minutes bawling my eyes out. It was worth it, and I highly recommend you see it!

Then we went to Ruby Tuesday's and had a great steak dinner. It was a bit of a splurge, but we had a coupon! (lol!)

After my belly was full, the hubby took me to one of my favorite places - Half Price Books! This place is like a candy store to me, and I bought a load of stuff - 3 Katie Macallister books, a Cheyenne McCray novel , a Mary-Janice Davidson anthology, and a book by Amber Benson. The good old TBR pile just grew immensely!

(I also got a build your own TARDIS kit with David Tennant on the front. Excuse me while I squee like the fangirl I am!)

And now, I'm home, in front of the laptop, sharing my day with all my online friends! All the birthday wishes just make me smile so much!

I plan on curling up with the hubby this evening and watching the Primeval finale. My sister is also supposed to call (she's in Texas). Then perhaps the hubby will help me with a little novel "research". (hint, hint. nudge, nudge. know what I mean?)

So, here's to me, my friends, my family, and the hope of more great years to come!

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

I didn't know what I was going to write about today, but then I read Buffy's blog. So, I decided to give the perspective at the other end of the spectrum. Because my name is Christle, and I am a TV-aholic.

I don't know why it is so easy for me to get sucked into television shows. In the back of my mind, I know there's better things I could be doing, but there I sit, staring eagerly at the screen anyway.

There are too many series shows that I watch or TIVO to watch. Heroes, CSI Miami, Castle, Fringe, CSI New York, CSI, Dollhouse, True Blood, Bones, House. And then there's British shows like Primeval, Ashes to Ashes, Torchwood, and Doctor Who. It's a compulsion at times, for the thought of missing an episode of a show makes me cranky.

And that doesn't even count the "reality" shows that suck me in entirely too often.

But it's not like I spend every free moment in front of the telly. I also read alot - specifically on my lunch breaks at work. I write, I blog, I play video games on my Nintendo DS. But if I stopped and added up the hours I dedicate to television shows, I'd more than likely be apalled.

So I'm not even going to do that.

Instead, I will take a deep breath and relax in the knowledge that the summer hiatus is on, and I won't feel so compelled to waste time in front of the TV screen.

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

Once again, America is on the verge of electing their next great icon. A figure that will forever be a part of history itself.

Tonight, we crown this year's American Idol.

I've been a fan of the show since it began. I drive my husband crazy with my obsession with the show - the talent, the train wrecks, the self-deluded. Every year I make the announcement that I probably won't watch, and then I get entirely sucked in, like I've been brain washed or something.

Perhaps I have.

Regardless, I do believe that the show has found some great talent over the years, and not just through the "winners". More than a few Idol contestants grace my music shelves - David Cook, Clay Aiken, Elliot Yamin, Blake Lewis, Taylor Hicks, Daughtry. And even though I don't particularly enjoy country music, I even kind of like Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler.

Obviously, I HAVE been brainwashed.

It's down to the final two, and all of America will be on the edge of their seats as the new Idol is announced tonight. Will it be Adam? Or will it be Kris? I actually enjoy both guys for different reasons, and am very excited to see who America selects. Either way, I'm sure I'll end up with both of their cds on my shelf next year.

Adam is so dramatic, and his voice unlike anyone else I've ever heard. Kris has a cool, Jason Mraz vibe to me. I'd listen to him to chill out and relax. I think they both did an awesome job with their performances, despite that god-awful song that Kara co-wrote and the producers made the guys sing.

After tonight, my Tuesdays and Wednesdays will feel empty. Kind of like those few days after Christmas. All the excitement and buildup, then it's over in a snap.

Oh well, then I'll just have to start the countdown until January next year...

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

As you can see, it's my day to blog. Trouble is, I'm finding it increasingly difficult to come up with anything interesting to say. Usually, inspiration will hit me Tuesday night when I'm trying to sleep.

Not this week.

I'm just too exhausted. My day job has been very busy. (I'm an art framer, btw.) The Department Manager was on vacation last week, so alot of stuff fell to me to take care of. I've also been training someone new because one of our framers left. And our corporate offices just handed down a new training protcol last month that we have to follow.

My brain's a mess, buzzing with price guides, color theory, order deadlines - etc. There's little room left for blogging inspiration, let alone writing inspiration. I'm one of those writers that does not work well when tired or pressed for time.

And so, I sit here and stare at the screen of my laptop, which mocks me with its emptiness. Forcing the issue doesn't help either. The stuff that comes out when I make myself write under duress is pretty much crap.

What to do? I think I'll zone out for a few. Maybe read a book. Listen to music. Refresh and reset the noggin.

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

It started when I was in high school. I was sort of a shy loner myself, so I was drawn to the lonely tortured souls that live in darkness. And brooding. Vamps got to have a major brood on. I devoured books with vampires in them, and have aquired quite the collection over the years. And movies and television - I will always give at least one go of something if there's a vampire involved.

Can you say - obsessed?

Anyway, I thought I'd share some of my fave vamps from over the years. It's time to vamp it up, baby!

Angel. A vampire with a soul. He can never be with the woman he truly loves, for it will end the gypsy curse and make him the evil Angelis. Could he be more tortured and sexy?

Aahhh...Spike. The bad boy you just can't help but like - even if he's a cold blooded killer. But wait...he, too, was redeemed. And there's always that punk rocker edge to him...

Mick St. John from Moonlight. The woman he loved made him a vamp against his will - dooming his soul. He strove to live amongst humans in peace and solitude...but then, he fell in love with one...

Bill Compton from True Blood. Nostalgic charm with vampire charisma make Bill a very interesting vampire. His quiet intensity is mesmerizing. And though he works to live a quiet life in harmony with humans - he will do whatever it takes to protect what or who he loves - even kill.

What can you say about Edward Cullen? He was made a vampire to save his life, and has waited for true love patiently. So what if he constantly thinks about draining her of her blood when he meets her? He chooses not to, just like he chooses to only drink animal blood to survive.

These are just a few of my favorite vamps - the tip of the fang, you could say. Each one sexy, brooding, intense, and likeable - with just a dash of danger. What's not exciting about a hunk that has the power to rip your throat out?